Need help adding to your ball knowledge bag? The Triangle Journal presents the mildly deep pulls that would get likes in a comment section and credibility amongst your boys… but not make it seem like you went deep into Basketball-Reference to find a name. Check us out every Friday for the next 5 weeks to learn more about all time 8th Men. Like David Stern once said (a lot), “Now that we’re ready, let’s get started.”
Philadelphia 76ers – Hollis Thompson – Ball Knowledge Grade: A-
Career with team: 4 seasons (2013–2017) – 256 games – 8.2 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.3 APG
Accolades: None
Thompson’s path to the NBA wasn’t glamorous. Undrafted out of Georgetown, he earned his spot through Summer League and became a starter during Philadelphia’s “Process” years, when opportunity was abundant but expectations were low. Despite the chaos, Thompson quietly became one of the most dependable floor spacers on the roster, regularly tasked with guarding top wings and knocking down open threes.
At his peak, he looked like a long-term 3-and-D solution for the Sixers, posting multiple seasons near 40% from deep. But as Philadelphia transitioned from rebuilding to contending, younger prospects and higher-profile acquisitions pushed him out of the rotation. Thompson didn’t flame out due to lack of ability – he simply became a casualty of timing. Definitely bring this name up when group ball knowledge players come up.
Leon Powe – Boston Celtics – Ball Knowledge Grade: C-
Career with team: 3 seasons (2007–2009) – 189 games – 6.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG
Accolades: NBA Champion (2008)
Powe was a rugged, undersized big who thrived on physicality and effort, perfectly fitting Boston’s blue-collar identity during its 2008 championship run. His breakout moment came in Game 2 of the 2008 Finals, when he scored 21 points in 14 minutes of action and gave the Celtics a massive emotional lift.
Tragically, Powe tore his ACL and MCL later in that same Finals series, an injury that dramatically altered his career trajectory. He fought his way back to the league, but the explosion and confidence that once defined his game never fully returned. Today, his name is often forgotten, despite being a genuine contributor to a title team. But because of his championship merit and likability, I would not bring him out in a comment section.
Ryan Anderson – Brooklyn Nets – Ball Knowledge Grade: B+
Career with team: 1 season (2009) – 66 games – 7.4 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 36.5% 3PT
Accolades: Traded with Vince Carter
Before he became one of the league’s elite stretch big men, Anderson was developing quietly in New Jersey. His shooting touch was obvious early, but he hadn’t yet been given the offensive freedom to fully showcase how dangerous he could be from deep. Many folks forgot he was a 1st round pick by the nets in 2008.
Often the reason people forget he started on the nets was because he was the secondary salary add for the Magic when placed in a trade package in the offseason of ‘09 with Vince Carter to head to Orlando for Rafer Alston, a proven scoring lead guard alongside Courtney Lee and bigman Tony Battie. The Magic would then prove the move paid off by winning the Eastern Conference in 2010 which overshadowed the average fan’s memory of Anderson in a Nets uniform. When bringing him up… you’ll get made fun of because anybody in these conversations knows Ryan Anderson. Hit them with the mic drop moment by clarifying his Nets’ stint.
Anthony Parker – Toronto Raptors – Ball Knowledge Grade: B-
Career with team: 3 seasons (2006–2009) – 235 games – 11.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.6 APG, 42.4% 3PT
Accolades: EuroLeague Champion (2004), All-EuroLeague First Team (2005)
After dominating in Europe for 6 years, Parker returned to the NBA as a polished veteran (31 years old) and instantly became one of Toronto’s most reliable perimeter players. He defended multiple positions, hit timely shots, and rarely made mistakes.
Parker never posted eye-popping numbers, but his steady presence was crucial during the Chris Bosh era. Ant was one of those scorers where if you put a mixtape to his highlights… his song would be by Erykah Badu or something like that. He represented a bridge between international basketball and the modern NBA, proving that overseas development could produce NBA-ready contributors. Crazy part is… he had a 3-year NBA Career with the 76ers & Magic before hopping into the EuroLeague. Guy got no burn in the NBA? Simple solution. Go kill in Europe then come back to get to your bag twin. Definitely a good scorer to bring back to light.
Lance Thomas – New York Knicks – Ball Knowledge Grade: C
Career with team: 5 seasons (2015–2019) – 264 games – 6.0 PPG, 2.6 RPG
Accolades: None
Thomas had a multi-year career with New Orleans before getting traded by OKC to the Garden (the infamous JR Smith/Iman Shumpert shift to Cleveland in the 3-teamer) where he found a true home in New York, becoming synonymous with effort and professionalism. He guarded stars, took charges, and accepted any role asked of him, whether starting or coming off the bench. All-time glue guy… and the type of wing Melo needed next to him (because lord knows Amar’e was tight he couldn’t get his shots up).
While never close to stardom, Thomas embodied what fans hope for in a role player. On teams that often lacked identity, he quietly became one of the Knicks’ most dependable pieces and was always ready when his number was called. Although most people with a bag know of him and might not be the greatest pull with your friends… it might net you 100 likes on a TikTok post. I mean look how that jersey is tucked in. All-Time Glue.
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